Chapter 4
Chapter Four
“Lex, slow down.” I laugh as he drags me up the stairs.
He turns his head and looks over at me. “Shit, sorry.”
“Why are you rushing away?”
“I think my dad is broken,” he says.
“What do you mean?”
“He has never told anyone to call him Mikhail, Addi,” Lex explains.
“That’s his name, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but everyone either calls him Pakhan or Mr. Petrov. The only people who call him Mikhail are my mom and her family. But I think they all do it purposely to piss him off.”
“Oh. Well, maybe he likes me.” I smile at the thought. I spent the entire trip here stressing about the fact his parents were going to take one look at me and hate me. See that I’m nothing more than white trash and send me packing.
Lex opens a door, stopping on the threshold before he points down the hall. “Your room is that one there. This is mine.”
“Oh, okay. Wait… I should get my bag out of the car?”
“Your bag will already be in your room.”
“Okay, well, I guess you should probably go and rest. I’ll just hang out in the room,” I tell him.
Lex smiles. “You too scared to come into my room, Addi? Don’t think you’ll be able to control yourself?”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself.” I shove past him and walk inside. I’ve been in Lex’s room at school. But this? It’s on a whole other level. “I can’t believe you grew up here,” I say as I spin in a circle, trying to take everything in.
“It’s just a house.”
“I grew up in a trailer, Lex. This isn’t just a house. It’s a damn palace. I’m scared to even touch anything.”
“Addi, you’ve always known I came from money and it’s never bothered you before. Don’t let it bother you now.”
“You’re right. You’re still my Lex. Who cares if you live in a palace and are richer than Richie Rich?” I shrug.
“I’m your Lex, huh?” He walks over to his bed and lies on it.
“You really should be resting,” I tell him, ignoring the comment.
“I should. Come and watch a movie with me.” Lex grabs a controller from the bedside table.
“Okay, but I’m picking the movie.” I snatch the controller out of his hand and lie on the other side of the bed. “Why is your mattress so big?”
“I’m a big boy?” He laughs.
“Whatever. How about Grease?”
“One or two?” Lex asks.
“One, obviously.”
“Let’s do it. But if I fall asleep, it’s not because you’re boring.”
“If you’re tired, go to sleep, Lex. You do not need to stay awake to keep me company.”
“I’m not saying you can’t, because you can. But I don’t really want you walking around this place without me.”
“Okay. I’ll stay here until you wake up.”
“It’s just… there’re a lot of men walking around and some of my family is insane,” he says.
“Lex, relax. I won’t leave the room without you,” I assure him.
There’s a knock on the door, and Mrs. Petrov walks in carrying a tray. “I’ve got you both food. The doc will be back in the morning to check on you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Lex sits up on the bed so his mother can place the tray in front of us.
“Thank you.” I follow Lex’s lead and sit up.
“You’re very welcome.” She smiles at me. “What are you watching?”
“Grease,” I tell her.
“You’re getting him to watch this?” she asks with a raised brow.
“Oh, we watch it at least once a week,” I tell her.
“Really? Huh, you think you know someone who came out of your vagina,” Mrs. Petrov says.
“Oh my god, Mom. Seriously? You have two other children you can go and embarrass,” Lex groans.
I smile. “I like your mom. Maybe even more than I like you,” I tease him.
“Take it back. You do not.” Lex turns to stare at me.
“Nope.” I shake my head.
“Mom, you are not stealing my best friend.” Lex turns to his mother next. Who, judging by her face, is trying really hard not to laugh.
“I don’t know, sweetie. I could always use a new friend. It gets lonely around here.”
“You literally have two other children,” Lex grunts out.
“Your sister got married and moved out, and so has your brother. And you’re at boarding school because you got kicked out of every other educational institution we tried to put you in. Eat your soup,” she adds that last part before walking out.
I know Lex has been in a lot of trouble at his previous schools. I also know that he’s done his best to keep his head down this year.
“I do really like your mom,” I tell him. “But don’t worry. No one will ever replace you as my best friend.”
“Promise?” he asks. He genuinely looks insecure about it.
“Promise. It will always be you, Lex Valentino-Petrov,” I tell him.
“Right back at ya. Now eat, because my mom’s Italian and if you don’t eat the food she made the cook prepare, she will be offended,” he says.
“It must be nice, to have a mom who cares when you’re sick.” I sigh.
“You don’t need a mother who cares, Addi. You have me.” Lex wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me against him.
“Ew, don’t you dare make me sick! I don’t have insurance like you do!”
“Pfft, as if you’d need insurance. If you were sick, I’d make sure you got treatment,” he tells me.